It can be difficult for homeowners to know where to turn when their heating or cooling system isn’t working properly. To keep yourself from having a problem with this, learn all you can on the topic. This article was put together to help homeowners get the proper help they have to get.
If you have some problems with the HVAC system, check out your home before calling a contractor. Make note of which rooms are cold and which are hot. This will help your contractor quickly determine where the issue lies and how to get it fixed quickly and easily.
Clean the debris on your condenser unit. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, bringing potential damage with it. It will damage the system to malfunction by overheating.
Turn the power off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Clean the fan blades and coils on the condenser fan every spring. Don’t forget to disconnect the power first. Next, remove the grill, take the blades and clean them gently, then clean the actual unit.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass cuttings in a direction away from the unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
Your HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose their leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned often during the leaves begin to fall. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if debris is blocking this air flow, you will have to contend with problems.
Putting in a programmable thermostat is a smart way to cut back on air-conditioning costs. These convenient thermostats may shave ten percent or more off of your bills, because they significantly cut energy use when you’re not around. Some newer programmable thermostats have computerized controls you can access from your personal computer, laptop or mobile media device.
10 Drops
Lubricate your fan condenser once a year. You will see rubber or metal cap covering the ports. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Don’t let your home get way too hot to where it’s dangerous. Air conditioners only cool down a home by 20 degrees. Assuming the temperature in your home rises to a hundred degrees, you will only be able to reduce that by twenty degrees. Depending on humidity levels, this isn’t even a safe temperature for a human body to sleep at to recover from summer heat.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double pane ones. This also helps keep it warm air in during the winter.
A programmable thermostat can really help you out when it comes to your air conditioning bill. Some can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Check the Internet for reviews on those who fix or install HVAC systems. There are quite a few sites now that allow customers to share their experiences with different services. This is useful for finding people that you wish to work with and those that you don’t.
Don’t allow your home get too hot. Air conditioners can only reduce the indoor temperature 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time limit. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, it will only cool off to about 80F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your room or home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for air conditioners.
Install a radiant barrier in your attic to boost HVAC efficiency. This helps block the heat from outside, and will reduce the energy needed for cooling your home during the summer. You may even find that you can use the attic space more effectively.
Ask people that you know and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who have had a good experience are usually willing to tell of their contractor. This is also a great way to get names of those companies that you should avoid.
There are a number of great sites out there that let customers talk about the service they received. This method of finding contractors that you are interested in dealing with as well as those that you want to avoid.
If you hear a clicking in the HVAC unit at home, see if there are any obstructions right away. Many times it could be debris hitting the cooling system fans. Just clear the debris to remove the problem. Check it out yourself first before you call in the professionals.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save tons of money by asking for price quotes. You should try to contact 5 to 6 contractors to determine what price you can reasonably expect to pay.
Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. It will serve as a barrier between your home cool when it’s hot outside. You may even find that you can use the attic space if it is done right.
You should replace the filter on your HVAC system once every month. This is an easy and essential thing to do. Filters are cheap, and changing them regularly adds up to long term savings.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your existing system is not up to snuff. Once you fix the leaks, you will save substantial money on heating and cooling costs.
Figure out which direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. The less heat in your home, the less work your AC will have to do.
Make sure to get references when hiring your contractor. It’s important to know if the contractor does as he says. That is why it is vital that you check references, so you don’t run into those shady contractors!
Usually your HVAC system will stop working during the bitter days of winter season or the sultry days of summer. However, with the right information, such disasters can be avoided. The tips you just read will help you with whatever comes your way.